Vampyre | Book I of Bloodlines | Free on Inkitt & Kindle Unlimited

Viola

Every word that comes out of my mouth betrays Darius, and what pains me the most is that I know he’s listening to everything. The question is, how far am I willing to go to keep him and Elliott safe? I have my answer in the exact second it takes me to ask myself that question—all the way. Everything. I would give everything to keep them both from harm, even if it means giving myself to William and playing the part of a good and loving wife.

“You seem more like your old self,” William’s face softens as he leans back in his chair, examining me, his eyes roam my throat and linger on my chest. “I know losing your father must have been hard on you, that and your new life here, in this place. I’m sorry if I haven’t been empathetic enough to your situation.”

William mentioning my father sends my stomach alight with fury, but Darius’ words echo through my mind, repeating themselves in a loop, and he’s right, I can’t afford to do anything stupid.

I sigh, releasing all the emotions threatening to drive my actions.

“I should also apologize…I haven’t been a very good wife to you, William, but I’ve never lied to you about the person I am. I’m just not very…domestic.”

“If you were, I wouldn’t have married you,” and that says it all—the hunter within him wants to capture and tame his prey, whether it be a woman or Daemon.

I manage a soft smile.

“So, tell me, Viola, how did you manage to feed Darius?” William pours himself another cup of tea.

There’s a question I don’t have an answer for. “The creature has a name?”

William’s brows furrow. “You didn’t speak to him?”

“I could barely look at the vile thing, let alone speak to it.”

“Yet you took pity on him.”

“It’s not in my nature to let someone suffer, no matter who they are.”

William eyes me but eventually nods. “His name is Darius Kane. That was the name his maker bestowed upon him when he gave him a new life.”

That makes sense. Darius said his maker was Dutch, which is a more European name. It makes me curious to know what name Darius’ father gave him. I wonder if I’ll live long enough to ask him about it. Why didn’t I ask him when I had the chance?

I look at William and tilt my head to the side. “You know, I think this is the first time we’ve really spoken since I arrived here.”

I look at my fingers and pretend to fidget with them, hoping it’ll make me look insecure.

“I was beginning to question your motives for marrying me,” I mutter.

William stays silent. Most people feel uncomfortable in drawn-out silences and feel the need to fill the silence with words—but it won’t be me who talks nonsense to break the tension, I might say something stupid or give something away.

I watch him lazily, imagining he’s Darius sitting across from me, his blue eyes turning brown and his golden hair turning dark like the night sky itself. I feel myself smiling at the idea that one day, Darius and I could sit like this and live a normal life. We could travel, see where the world takes us, build a life together with little Elliott, and maybe have our own child. I had never thought about having children with anyone, but it feels almost right with Darius. Wait, can Vampyres even have children?

Finally, William looks away, his eyes gazing out the window, and for a split second, I see his walls crumbling down. “Of all the women I could have chosen from, Viola, you were the one I wanted the most, not only for myself but for Elliott.”

“He is wonderful,” I can’t help but smile at the thought of adorable Elliott.

William’s eyes land on the toolbox he carried inside for me. “Right, since we’re to spend the day together, as you so desired, show me this birdhouse you would like to make.”

We walk to the library, and I open the book of fairy tales I found yesterday.

“It’s in here?” William asks curiously, looming over my shoulder to take a closer look.

“Yes, in the evil stepmother’s garden. Here,” I point to the print in the book.

I wasn’t lying earlier—I had spotted the birdhouse when I was looking for stories to read Elliott and thought it a curious design.

I watch William examine the picture. I have no idea what my plan is right now, but maybe if I can be a “good little wife” to him, I can free Darius from right under his nose sometime when his guard is down. I was too slow—I should never have thought I would have so much time to free him.

Then I notice something I didn’t catch before—the necklace around William’s neck. It’s a little silver vial with a little emerald encrusted on it. Curious.

With Darius fed, he could no doubt look through William’s eyes like he did that night. We’re in exactly the same spot, yet Darius isn’t here. Is this charm why he can’t? Has William figured it out? I begin to suspect that the charm might be the reason for his sudden trip—he sought a way to keep Darius out.

I observe William gazing at me with a possessive intensity that clearly communicates his desire to have me then and there. I promised to do anything for Darius and Elliott, and if that means giving myself to William, then so be it.

William’s arm wraps around my waist, pulling me into his firm, muscular frame. Although I can’t deny feeling aroused, when I look at his face, I see Darius staring back at me. As William’s lips meet mine, I envision them belonging to Darius and respond with genuine conviction. I encircle my hands around his strong neck, drawing him closer.

When William breaks away, we’re both breathing heavily. The knot in my gut, warning me of danger since the first night I met William, tightens. I should have trusted my instincts from the beginning. His brows furrow and he withdraws further.

“It wasn’t me you were thinking of just now, was it?” William’s expression hardens and he shakes his head at me with disapproval. “You know, you almost had me convinced, I’ll give you that.”

Ice rushes through my veins. I’m not sure what gave me away—whether he saw through my mask or my body betrayed me. The back of my eyes sting, threatening tears. I couldn’t even play the game for one day.

Without thinking, my hand slowly reaches into my pocket and retrieves the tool I found in the barn earlier. I hold it in my open hand, examining it. The idea of using it on William flashes through my mind, but I resist. It’s not in me to hurt anyone.

I gaze up at William, who awaits my next move. Uncertain of what might unfold next, there’s a question I still need an answer to before my inevitable demise.

“William…did you kill my father?” I ask quietly.

He takes a deep breath and holds it for a second as if anticipating my reaction to his answer. “Not personally, but I orchestrated it, yes.”

I nod and then look back down at the strange tool. “Thank you for not lying to me.”

William sighs. “Elliott will be so disappointed.”

With that, he grabs my wrist, takes the tool from my hand, and drags me toward the secret passage. I let him lead me toward what will most likely be the death of me, Darius, or us both.

What William doesn’t know is that while his eyes were glued to the conspicuous tool in my right hand, my left hand was hiding something else.

I leave what happens next not only in the hands of fate but in the now somewhat fed Darius.